Success in the treatment of pleural cancer at the Ichilov Clinic is based on a combination of the expert experience of Israeli oncologists and tomorrow's technologies. There are no template solutions used here; each protocol is adapted to the genetic characteristics of the tumour, allowing for the selection of the most precise immunotherapy and targeted therapy. This targeted approach helps effectively control the disease and achieve positive dynamics even in cases previously considered hopeless.
Rooms in the Ichilov Medical Center are equipped with everything necessary for maximum patient comfort: modern functional furniture, adjustable electric beds, individual bathrooms with showers, air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, televisions with international channels, as well as call buttons for medical staff at the bedside. This equipment ensures a comfortable rest and quick recovery without unnecessary domestic inconveniences. For foreign patients, personal accompaniment is provided, which removes any organizational barriers and translation difficulties.
About the Disease
Pleural cancer is a tumour of the thin membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity from the inside. The disease prevents the lung from fully expanding during inhalation, leading to shortness of breath and the accumulation of excess fluid in the chest cavity.
Pleural cancer can be primary, when the tumour develops directly from pleural cells (mesothelioma), or secondary, when cancer cells spread to the pleura from other organs.
Causes
- Asbestos exposure
- Radiation exposure to the chest
- Genetic predisposition
- Chronic inflammatory processes of the pleura
Symptoms
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dry cough
- Fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity
- Weight loss
- Weakness and increased fatigue
Treatment Methods for Pleural Cancer
At the Ichilov Clinic, the choice of treatment methods for pleural cancer is based on the molecular-genetic profile of the tumour, the stage of the disease, and the overall condition of the patient.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery becomes the priority choice in the early stages when the tumour is localized and has not spread to distant organs. Surgeons perform pleurectomy with decortication, removing the affected pleura while preserving the lung, or extrapleural pneumonectomy, where the lung, pleura, diaphragm, and pericardium are removed. Thoracoscopic technologies allow interventions through minimal incisions under video camera control. Navigation systems help accurately determine the boundaries of resection. After tissue removal, they are examined for the presence of malignant cells at the margins to ensure the radicality of the operation.
Chemotherapy
Systemic treatment is used as a standalone method for advanced forms of the disease or in combination with surgery to reduce the volume of the tumour before surgery. Patients receive combinations of cytostatic drugs based on platinum in combination with antimetabolites that disrupt the division of cancer cells. The administration regimen is tailored individually based on tolerance. Intrathoracic chemotherapy involves administering drugs directly into the pleural cavity, creating a high concentration of active substances in the affected area with minimal systemic impact on the body.
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
This method combines surgical removal of visible tumour foci with subsequent treatment of the pleural cavity with heated chemotherapy agents during the operation. The temperature of the solution reaches 42 degrees, enhancing the penetration of the drug into the tissues and destroying microscopic cancer cells remaining after resection. The procedure lasts from 60 to 90 minutes, during which surgeons evenly distribute the solution throughout the pleural cavity. Perfusion system technology ensures controlled circulation and maintains a stable temperature of the drug throughout the procedure.
Radiation Therapy
Irradiation is used to control local manifestations of the disease, reduce pain, and prevent tumour infiltration into the chest wall after biopsy. IMRT technology modulates the intensity of radiation beams, creating a maximum dose in the tumour with minimal impact on healthy structures. Stereotactic radiosurgery delivers high doses of radiation over several sessions to clearly defined areas. Imaging systems track the movement of the chest during breathing and synchronize irradiation with the patient's breathing cycle, increasing the accuracy of the impact and protecting the lungs, heart, and spinal cord.
Immunotherapy
This treatment activates the body's immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells, used in cases of progression after chemotherapy or as a first line for certain molecular characteristics of the tumour. Checkpoint inhibitors block proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking the tumour, restoring the body's ability to fight the disease. At Ichilov, immunohistochemical studies are conducted before prescribing to determine the expression of specific markers. Monitoring immune responses allows for therapy adjustments and prevents autoimmune complications when the activated immune system begins to attack healthy tissues.
Targeted Therapy
Molecularly targeted treatment blocks specific signaling pathways necessary for the growth and division of cancer cells. It is prescribed upon detection of certain genetic mutations or changes in the tumour after molecular profiling. The drugs act on growth factor receptors, angiogenesis, and intracellular kinases. Liquid biopsy allows tracking the emergence of new mutations during treatment without repeated invasive procedures. Next-generation sequencing identifies rare genetic changes for which specific inhibitors exist, opening opportunities for a personalized approach even in rare forms of the disease.
Pleurodesis
This procedure creates an artificial adhesion of the pleural layers to prevent fluid accumulation, used in recurrent pleural effusion that causes shortness of breath and reduces quality of life. After draining the fluid, sclerosing agents are introduced into the pleural cavity, causing aseptic inflammation and adhesion of the parietal and visceral layers. Video-assisted thoracoscopy allows for even distribution of the drug and monitoring of the completeness of the procedure. Talc pleurodesis demonstrates high efficacy and prevents re-accumulation of effusion in most cases, freeing patients from the need for repeated punctures.
Photodynamic Therapy
This method is based on the ability of photosensitizers to accumulate in tumour cells and destroy them under the influence of light of a specific wavelength. It is used intraoperatively after surgical removal of the main tumour mass to eliminate microscopic remnants on the surface of the pleura. The patient receives a photosensitizer intravenously several days before the operation, after which the substance selectively concentrates in cancer cells. During the operation, surgeons irradiate the pleural cavity with laser light through special diffusers, activating the drug. The resulting active oxygen species damage cellular structures and cause the death of cancer cells.
- HIPEC chemotherapy method
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Oncological surgeries
Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
Absolute diagnostic accuracy for pleural cancer is a critical factor in choosing the right strategy to combat the disease. At the Ichilov Clinic, this stage is implemented using high-precision equipment of the latest generation, allowing for a detailed study of the tumour structure. All diagnostic procedures are planned in advance, ensuring that examinations are completed in the shortest possible time without compromising the quality of medical control.
First Day
Upon arrival at the clinic, the patient is directed to a primary consultation with a leading specialist in the field. During the appointment, the doctor collects a detailed medical history, conducts a thorough physical examination, and analyzes the available medical documentation. Based on the results of the meeting, the doctor formulates a list of necessary studies that will provide a comprehensive picture of the body's condition and determine the tactics for further actions.
Second Day
To obtain objective data on the nature of the neoplasm and the extent of the process, a comprehensive program of instrumental and laboratory diagnostics is conducted:
- Comprehensive clinical and biochemical blood tests
- Oncomarkers and specific laboratory tests
- Review of previously conducted biopsy (if slides and blocks are available)
- Computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdominal organs
- Positron emission tomography (PET-CT) to assess metabolic activity
- Pleural puncture with cytological examination of the fluid
- Thoracoscopy with diagnostic biopsy of pleural tissues
Third Day
After receiving and systematizing all results, the attending physician gathers a multidisciplinary consultation. The joint work of oncologists, surgeons, and radiologists allows for a review of the clinical situation from different angles and eliminates any inaccuracies. Such collegial discussion provides the opportunity to develop the most relevant and effective treatment plan, taking into account all individual characteristics of the patient.
- Computed tomography
- Diagnosis — PET CT
- New minimally invasive diagnostic method in Israel — thoracoscopy
- Biopsy and histological studies
- Blood biochemistry
How Much Does Treatment Cost in Israel
The final price depends on the actual volume of diagnostic procedures, the complexity of the surgical intervention, and the chosen drug strategy. The final amount is influenced by the type of immunotherapy agents used, the need for high-tech chemotherapy perfusion, and the duration of the rehabilitation period.
To calculate prices for a specific case, you need to contact the clinic's consultant at the phone number listed on the website. The specialist will provide a detailed estimate and explain all financial aspects of the program.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- World experts in thoracic oncology and complex pleural surgeries
- High-tech equipment for precision diagnostics and molecular profiling
- Innovative protocols for targeted therapy and the latest methods of local chemotherapy perfusion
- Personalized treatment plans considering the genetic characteristics of the tumour
- Impeccable level of medical service and comfortable accompaniment conditions
Even before arriving at the Israeli clinic, the patient can request a remote online consultation with a leading specialist in the field. The video call format allows for expert recommendations, answers to key medical questions, and detailed information about available modern technologies.